Issue 12 - Friday 26th November 2021
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been another busy week at school as we approach December and the weather gets even colder. However, the cold weather hasn't stopped our reception children as they have had a week of learning outside. You can see some of the things they have been learning by clicking on the EYFS Twitter link.
The learning doesn't just stop there! If you click on the different twitter links for each class (found below and on our website) you'll see what a brilliant week every class has had.
Year 1 - Year 2 - Year 3 - Year 4 - Year 5 - Year 6
Our focus characteristic of being positive this half term is in full stride at the moment with many of our Parkfielders being rewarded regularly by their peers. We'll find out in a couple of weeks who the Parkfield character award is won by.
A group of individuals that could easily be nominated for being positive are members of the football team. After a couple of defeats over the past few weeks they played wonderfully last night and earned their first victory of the year. Well done.
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
DECEMBER EVENTS
Please look at the calendar of events to see what is happening over December. Nativities, Y6 and Y5 Class assemblies, a Christmas Service and a whole school trip to the panto are just a few highlights over a very busy period.
SPORTING CELEBRATIONS
Congratulations to the football team who beat Middleton Parish last night. The game finished 10-0 and was certainly Parkfield's best performance in a long time!
Huge well done also to the Dodgeball team that competed against Hollin last week. The game, our first of the year, finished 4-4 and was certainly enjoyed by our supportive (and vocal!) friends and families.
ROCHDALE MAGAZINE
Feel free to have a look at the Raring2go magazine which gives families across the borough lots of information about what's going on over the festive period.
HEALTHY SNACKS & PACKED LUNCHES
A reminder that pupils are allowed to bring a healthy snack into school at breaktime (No chocolate/crisps please). The tuck shop is also available in Key Stage 2 where pupils can purchase a healthy snack for 20p per item.
Please note that sweets and chocolate bars are not allowed in school packed lunches. At Parkfield we promote healthy eating and don't want pupils regularly eating unhealthy junk food at school.
PUPIL ABSENCES
Following a safeguarding review we will no longer be offering the option of leaving an answerphone message or email to report your child’s absence. If you need to report your child’s absence please ring the school from 8.15am when the office is open to take calls. Please ensure you ring and speak to a member of staff daily when reporting your child’s absence.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Thanks to those that have already sent in money for raffle tickets. All monies raised will go towards subsidising the whole school visiting the pantomime and also pay for playground equipment and resources to enhance the children's experience during break and dinner times.
If you would like to donate a prize to the eagerly anticipated Parkfield Christmas Raffle please contact the school office and let us know. Any help is appreciated and all monies raised will be spent on the children.
Y6 BREAKFAST CLUB
This will continue to be free to all Y6 pupils and runs every day from 8.15 - 8.45am. It's great to see so many of our Y6 pupils turn up each day - but we would like some more joining us!
Y6 CLASS ASSEMBLY INVITE
Advanced notice that our Y6 families are welcome to join us on Friday 3rd December at 9am in the school hall for the first class assembly of the year.
OUT OF SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS
Thanks to those that have already sent in some of your child's achievements out of school. A reminder that if your child achieves something out of school that you're proud of - please let us know by emailing office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk. Particularly if they've demonstrated the Parkfield qualities of being Positive, Ambitious, Resilient or Kind. This may include winning a trophy, competing in an event, raising money for charity or even completing a really long bike ride! We're creating a display to celebrate the achievements of all our Parkfielders.
TERM TIME HOLIDAYS
A reminder that any holiday during term time is likely to result in a fine being issued as detailed in our attendance policy (found here). All term time holidays are classed as an unauthorised absence unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you feel there are exceptional circumstances for the holiday, please let us know in writing as soon as possible. Fines are issued by the local authority when 5 consecutive days (10 sessions) have been missed. Currently, a £60 fine is issued to each parent/carer with parental responsiblity for each child. For example, 2 siblings and both parents going on holiday could result in a fine totalling £240 .
REMINDERS from previous Newsletters
CAR PARKING AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE DAY - KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE
We have been made aware of a number of incidents where children have nearly been hit by a car in and around the main school gates and along Harold street at the beginning and end of the school day. Please help keep everyone safe by parking away from the school gates and walking up to the playground. The safety of our children is paramount and only with your support on this matter can we keep our pupils as safe as possible.
TERM TIME HOLIDAYS
A reminder, now that we are able to travel abroad, that any holiday during term time will result in a fine being issued as detailed in our attendance policy. All term time holidays are classed as an unauthorised absence unless there are exceptional circumstances. Fines are issued by the local authority when 5 consecutive days (10 sessions) have been missed. Currently, a £60 fine is issued to each parent/carer with parental responsibility for each child. For example, 2 siblings and both parents going on holiday could result in a fine totalling £240 .
DATES FOR THE DIARY 2021-22
An updated list of events and holiday dates can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/calendar-inc-holiday-lists.html . This is updated regularly and gives upto date information about what's happening at the school.
PARKFIELD SCHOOL LOTTERY
If you'd like the opportunity to win £25,000 each week and support the school you can do so by joining the school lottery. There is a winner from our school each week that wins a smaller prize but there is always the chance of winning the national prize of £25,000. More details and how to join can be found here: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/parkfield-primary-school
SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
Mrs Whalen is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Mr Kemp and Miss Steele (Deputy DSL). If you have any concerns about the needs or welfare of a pupil, please don't hesitate to contact the school. We all share a responsibility to our pupils safety and wellbeing.
As a school our promise is: We will listen, we will support and we will take action.
ATTENDANCE and PUNCTUALITY
As you are all aware, school attendance and punctuality is one of Parkfields priorities and I have been thrilled with the support that parents have been giving with regards to improving their children’s attendance.
Our school target is 96%. We are currently below this target and we need your continued support to ensure that we meet this mark.
Persistent Absence
Persistent absence is defined by the Government as attendance below 90%. This equates to 19 days or more of absence a year or 100+ lessons missed. If a child’s attendance drops below 90% this could lead to them becoming a safeguarding concern. This could also result in the authority taking legal action against parents, resulting in a fine or court appearance. Over the next few weeks I will be making contact by letter with the families of children whose attendance is below 90% to invite you into school for a discussion about how we can support you to improve your child’s attendance.
Thank you so much to all the families who have been working hard to ensure children’s attendance and punctuality is high. Establishing early good habits really will make a positive difference to their lives. The link between attendance and achievement cannot be over stated. Your child will achieve better if they are in school every day. Only in very exceptional circumstances should a child be absent from school.
Punctuality
Please get your child to school on time. Poor punctuality can lead to your child…
Feeling embarrassed in front of their friends
Missing the beginning of vital lessons making them fall behind
Missing important instructions for the rest of the school day
At Parkfield children are to line up before school and doors open at 8.45am. They close at 8.50am.
If you arrive after 8.50am you will have to come through the school office.
Thank you for your support.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Don't forget coats! It's getting very cold.
If driving, park further away from the school and walk to reduce congestion and the possiblity of any serious accidents.
Unfortunately, Parents and Carers are not allowed to drop off and pick up from the school car park at any time.
Children are not allowed on the play equipment before and after school. Please keep them off.
